May Mary watch over mankind in this hour marked by violence, says Pope

Vatican City, Sep 13, 2004 / 12:00 am (CNA).- During his address before Sunday’s Angelus prayer at Castelgandolfo, John Paul II, noting that "according to an ancient tradition, today is the feast of the name of Mary,” prayed that She “watch over mankind in this hour marked by shocking explosions of violence." said the Pope.

He said that her name is “indissolubly linked with that of Jesus” and it “was to her that the dying Jesus entrusted everyone as children.”

“May she especially watch over the new generations who are so anxious to build a future of hope for everyone,” he prayed. “I felt this great hope for a world of justice and peace in the children, young people and adults of Italian Catholic Action whom I met last Sunday in Loreto on the occasion of their national pilgrimage.”

“As I think of their witness,” the pope concluded, “I wish here to recall the three instructions I entrusted to Catholic Action in Loreto: 'contemplation' to walk on the path of holiness; 'communion' to promote the spirituality of unity; and 'mission' to be evangelical leaven in every place.”

“May Our Lady help Catholic Action to enthusiastically pursue their commitment to apostolic witness, always working in close contact with the hierarchy, and participating in a responsible way for parish and diocesan action.”